After a slow start to the new boys basketball season, the Ferndale Wildcats are beginning to build some momentum ahead of conference play.

On Saturday, the Cats placed third at the Kelseyville tournament, beating Cloverdale 57-48 in their final tournament game.

The Ferndale boys started the season with a limited roster, with several of their key players still playing football.

But since that core group of players have joined the team, the Cats are beginning to find their feet and they have now won four of their last six games.

“Since we’ve had everyone back and been able to practice, we’re playing better,” first-year head coach Lane Stapp said.

That included two wins in three games at the three-day Kelseyville tournament.

They opened on Thursday with a 59-53 win over Healdsburg, before falling 39-29 to Kelseyville and then closing out with the victory over Cloverdale.

And Stapp is happy with the steps the team is taking.

“We’ve definitely shown improvement at every tournament we’ve been at,” the coach said. “Every game we’re getting a little bit better at something.”

The Wildcats will rely heavily on their two key seniors for some much-needed leadership this year, including guard Parker Prior and forward/center Henry Westfall.

Both impressed at the weekend tournament.

Junior Prescott Langer also has been leading the way early in the season and was an all-tournament selection at each of the last two tournaments the team has played in.

And Stapp believes the team defense has been one of the team’s strengths so far, with the Cats holding five of their last six opponents to 53 or less points.

“Our defense has definitely been our strong suit so far,” the coach said. 

Langer helped set the tone in the weekend tournament finale and scrod a team-high 18 points in the win.

Westfall led the way against Kelsyville and scored a team-best 10 points in the loss, while Prior scored a team-high 13 in the win over Healdsburg.

The Wildcats will enjoy a bit of a break before their next game, giving the new coach and his players some time to work on some things in practice.

The Cats’ next game will be their Little 4 opener at St. Bernard’s on Jan. 10.

The Ferndale boys are now 4-7 on the season.